Spina Brifida Research Paper
Spina Bifida
A type of birth defect that affects the skeletal system is Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a nueral tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine or the vertebrae do not form accurately around the spinal cord. In severe cases it can inhibit a persons walking or daily activities. There are three basic forms of Spina Bifida. The mildest form is Occulta, the next would be Meningocele and the most severe is Myelomeningocele. (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-myelomeningocele-spina-bifida 2012) Myelomeningocele is the case that affects the skeletal system the most. With this, the nerves in the spine protrude out of the spinal canal and a bulge in the skin may appear. If nerves become damaged, there may be a high chance that there could be problems with walking, coordination and bowel …show more content…
and bladder control.
The exact cause of Spina Bifida is not known. (Foti 2012) Some say that it could be genetic and is more likely to happen in women that are obese and have diabetes. Symptoms that may indicate that a child has Spina Bifida, include, a curve in the spine, nerves coming out of the back and swelling of the spine. Also, the child will have nerve damage, which can mean that they will have little or no feeling in the legs, feet and or arms. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417 2012) Another indicator could be a build up of fluid in the brain. Spinal deformity occurs most frequently in patients with Myelomeningocele. It can manifest as kyphosis, scoliosis or lordosis. Most children diagnosed with Spina Bifida also have an allergy to latex. (http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-center/spina-bifida-symptoms.aspx 2012) The diagnosis for Spina Bifida is usually determined by a blood test that a
woman has during pregnancy. Most people find out that their child has this defect before he or she is born. If it is not determined before birth, it may be diagnosed by how the baby’s back looks and as they get to the pint of where they should start crawling and standing. You will be able to notice how the weekness in the muscle and bones are. Children that are born wih Spina Bifida may also have mental disabilities as well because it affects the brain just as much as it affects the spine and nerves. (http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8029563/k.83B2/Get_Educated.htm 2012) Spina Bifida can be treated in many different ways. Surgical treatment is used most commonly to repair spinal abnormalities. One surgical treatment would be spinal fusion. This is when they fuse the bones in the spine together to help prevent any further deformity, such as bone curvature, ambulation and motor skills. There are also risks in surgical procedures. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417 2012) It does not always guarantee success and the patient could be left with the same condition. Another form of treatment would be leg braces or walkers for the children to use. This will help to strengthen and align any major bones and joints that they will need to walk accurately. The child may never be able to walk perfectly and for them to achieve some form of normal functions they will need to undergo many extensive lifelong procedures. Another type of deformity that comes with this defect is hip or pelvic deformity. This deformity can cause muscle imbalance, paralysis of the hip joint, pelvic problems and spinal abnormality. The next type of deformity would have to be in the feet and ankles. Foot deformities may be present in about 80 to 95 % of patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele. (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-myelomeningocele-spina-bifida 2012) They will generally have club feet in addition to poor balanceand mobility skills. Children that are born with this type of defect, have a very high chance of never walking. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417 2012)They will have to use leg braces, arm crutches, a walker and may even be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of their lives. The leg braces can go as high as their hips and they are used to align the pelvic bones and straighten out the feet and keep them in a position where they are supported enough for the person to walk with balance. Wihtout these tools, they will not be able to walk without holding on to something. Most importantly, its important to remember that this disability may confine people, but it does not define them and make it impossible for them to live a somewhat normal life.
A type of birth defect that affects the skeletal system is Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a nueral tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine or the vertebrae do not form accurately around the spinal cord. In severe cases it can inhibit a persons walking or daily activities. There are three basic forms of Spina Bifida. The mildest form is Occulta, the next would be Meningocele and the most severe is Myelomeningocele. (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-myelomeningocele-spina-bifida 2012) Myelomeningocele is the case that affects the skeletal system the most. With this, the nerves in the spine protrude out of the spinal canal and a bulge in the skin may appear. If nerves become damaged, there may be a high chance that there could be problems with walking, coordination and bowel …show more content…
and bladder control.
The exact cause of Spina Bifida is not known. (Foti 2012) Some say that it could be genetic and is more likely to happen in women that are obese and have diabetes. Symptoms that may indicate that a child has Spina Bifida, include, a curve in the spine, nerves coming out of the back and swelling of the spine. Also, the child will have nerve damage, which can mean that they will have little or no feeling in the legs, feet and or arms. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417 2012) Another indicator could be a build up of fluid in the brain. Spinal deformity occurs most frequently in patients with Myelomeningocele. It can manifest as kyphosis, scoliosis or lordosis. Most children diagnosed with Spina Bifida also have an allergy to latex. (http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-center/spina-bifida-symptoms.aspx 2012) The diagnosis for Spina Bifida is usually determined by a blood test that a
woman has during pregnancy. Most people find out that their child has this defect before he or she is born. If it is not determined before birth, it may be diagnosed by how the baby’s back looks and as they get to the pint of where they should start crawling and standing. You will be able to notice how the weekness in the muscle and bones are. Children that are born wih Spina Bifida may also have mental disabilities as well because it affects the brain just as much as it affects the spine and nerves. (http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8029563/k.83B2/Get_Educated.htm 2012) Spina Bifida can be treated in many different ways. Surgical treatment is used most commonly to repair spinal abnormalities. One surgical treatment would be spinal fusion. This is when they fuse the bones in the spine together to help prevent any further deformity, such as bone curvature, ambulation and motor skills. There are also risks in surgical procedures. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417 2012) It does not always guarantee success and the patient could be left with the same condition. Another form of treatment would be leg braces or walkers for the children to use. This will help to strengthen and align any major bones and joints that they will need to walk accurately. The child may never be able to walk perfectly and for them to achieve some form of normal functions they will need to undergo many extensive lifelong procedures. Another type of deformity that comes with this defect is hip or pelvic deformity. This deformity can cause muscle imbalance, paralysis of the hip joint, pelvic problems and spinal abnormality. The next type of deformity would have to be in the feet and ankles. Foot deformities may be present in about 80 to 95 % of patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele. (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-myelomeningocele-spina-bifida 2012) They will generally have club feet in addition to poor balanceand mobility skills. Children that are born with this type of defect, have a very high chance of never walking. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417 2012)They will have to use leg braces, arm crutches, a walker and may even be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of their lives. The leg braces can go as high as their hips and they are used to align the pelvic bones and straighten out the feet and keep them in a position where they are supported enough for the person to walk with balance. Wihtout these tools, they will not be able to walk without holding on to something. Most importantly, its important to remember that this disability may confine people, but it does not define them and make it impossible for them to live a somewhat normal life.